CC Minutes - 02/08/11 JEO Public Hearing

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MINUTES OF JOINT PUBLIC HEARING WITH EUGENE CITY COUNCIL, Page 4 METROPOLITAN POLICY COMMITTEE, AND LANE TRANSIT DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS, FEBRUARY 8, 2011 that money leaves the community and is not available for the local economy. When people have more money in their pockets, they are more willing to spend it on education. The multiplier effect means that every dollar kept in the county is spent many times over. The Chamber of Commerce determined that for every dollar spent, $3.00 goes into the local economy. If 10 percent of the $80 million stays in the county, the county will benefit. His experience with EmX has enabled him to extend his cycling. His 78 year -old mother lives at the Olive Plaza Apartments, and EmX gives her more access and freedom. He and his mother support EmX. Donald Peck, Spyglass Drive, Eugene, is the owner of a building at 2911 West 11 Avenue, the site of Papa Murphy's pizza. The property owners on West 11 Avenue have said all along that they supported buses on West 11 Avenue but that they did not support EmX buses or the plan. EmX would make the congestion on West 11 Avenue worse than it was now.The group disagreed with the financial feasibility of widening West 11 Avenue at this time. Seventy million dollars would come from the federal government and $30 million would come from the State lottery funds. The lottery funds were used primarily for education. The need for EmX has not been proven. There are not many cars in the parking area by Fred Meyer for those who rode the bus. He did not see the need for EmX on River Road. There would never be a need for a bus for 60 people. LTD was funded by payroll taxes. EmX would force some of the existing business to go out of business, and buildings would be torn down. Eric Gunderson, Dukhobar Road, Eugene, lives in west Eugene and is a local business owner. He travels on the bus on West 11 Avenue daily and supports EmX. All transit systems are built with tax dollars. Without EmX, there would be more traffic and eventually there would be a need for more traffic lanes for cars, which would result in loss of private property along the roadway. This was not about spending tax dollars on EmX, but about making smart decisions for our transportation future. We could choose more lanes for cars and more signals at intersections; or choose a diverse transportation system that is innovative, cheaper to operate than cars, and more economical than the current bus system. Other cities that have built diverse transportation systems and engaged in smart growth have made real changes. The population of Portland drove 28 percent fewer vehicle miles per year than the national average by choosing to ride buses, bikes, rail, and street cars. Businesses in Portland seek transit routes. Eugene is not Portland but could benefit from less traffic. There are many great businesses along West 11 Avenue. It is home to many non - profits, and offers a diverse range of business and industries, schools, churches, and recreation centers. It is the gateway for travelers from the west and the airport. EmX is the right choice for the benefit of everyone in the western portion of the city. He asked everyone to reopen their thinking and consider 20 years from now when there would be more people and more traffic. He urged support of EmX in West Eugene. Mark Callahan, Mahlon Avenue, Eugene, is a resident, voter, and taxpayer in Eugene. He is against the building of EmX in West Eugene. He is not against transit service for 3 percent of the people. But the plan to spend $100 million to build a system that would struggle to operate does not make sense. The community cannot afford to gamble by embracing the mentality that if we build it, they will come. Our schools are closing, teachers are losing their jobs, and local unemployment has remained in double digits in the continuing crippling recession. By eliminating routes and cutting stops, fewer people would use the system. Seventy million dollars from the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and $30 million from the State would require further earmarks and need to be scrutinized. Lottery dollars support schools and economic development. He has two daughters in the 4 -J schools, and when he buys a lottery ticket, he wants the money to go to schools and not EmX. The alternatives analysis is full of errors. Kevin Prociw, Williams Street, Eugene, member of Lane County Citizens for Responsible Government, uses the bus to go to work regularly. He stated his support for EmX, noting that it has many good aspects. It looks cool and sleek and has minimum wait times, but there are many